A local coffee shop has launched a new website to increase its profile and attract more visitors.
Mona’s of Muckhart is also set to take on its first modern apprentice who’ll be trained as a chef, helping to produce the homemade goods made each day in its kitchen.
The decision to revamp its online presence arose after the owner, Moira Miller, tapped into advice from Business Gateway Clackmannanshire.
She said: “I’d always thought Business Gateway was just for new businesses, but that’s not the case. They’ve been very helpful in several areas, advising me on how to promote the business in the ever changing world of social media and highlighting how out of date my website was. I want to increase footfall to the business and awareness of what we offer, and upgrading the website is the first step to help me achieve those goals. I was also given guidance regarding taking on a modern apprentice, who will start with us after he finishes school in June. He’ll be trained for a year in our kitchens and will hopefully go on to be a valuable member of our team.”
Stuart McCusker, Business Gateway, said: “Moira has built a fantastic reputation, attracting regular customers throughout the year, but she wanted to attract more visitors to her coffee shop. As we live in an ever increasing digital world, a business’ website is its ‘shop window’ so ensuring it is up to date and easy to operate is a must. Moira has taken our advice and the new site is a great way to advertise exactly what the coffee shop offers.”
After almost two years of planning, Mona’s of Muckhart opened its doors in Main Street, Muckhart, in March 2004. The owners, Moira and her husband, Peter, purchased the premises in 2002 with the sole intention of refurbishing the existing property and building their own coffee shop.
The business, which is named in memory of Moira’s grandmother, Mona, employs 13 staff and has 40 covers inside the coffee shop and a further 20 outside. It also offers outside catering for funerals, birthdays and anniversaries as well as a wide range of traditional home cooked meals to take away. Its gift shop, selling everything from scarves to jewellery, has also proved successful.
Moira said: “I’ve always had an interest in baking, which was passed onto me by my mother, and my husband was a chef in the Royal Air Force for 24 years. Although we both worked in financial services, the love of cooking never left us. Even now, when we do outside catering, my husband gets involved as he’s great with logistics and presentation.
“It’s important to us that everything we produce is homemade. We started off offering basic sandwiches and toasties now we cook everything from a bacon roll for breakfast to a range of hot dishes and everything in-between. Our amazing Afternoon Tea is also very popular and excellent value for money. Our customers love good old fashioned baking and some believe our coffee and walnut cake is the best in Scotland!”
For more information on Mona’s of Muckhart visit the new website www.monasofmuckhart.co.uk, which was designed by The Write People for Design Ltd.
To find out how Business Gateway Clackmannanshire can help your business call 01259 208426 or visit www.bgateway.com/clackmannanshire.